Major Corporations Quietly Drop SOPA Support

Published on 12-31-2011 12:14 PM

66 Comments

The recent news on the web regarding the Stop Online Piracy Act was not digested well by many websites and their members, not to mention the recent message to Sony from “hacktivist” group Anonymous. (Which I feel is unrelated, seriously.) Today news comes to me that Sony, Nintendo and Electronic Arts have removed themselves from the SOPA bandwagon.

To Quote:

Major game companies Nintendo, Sony and Electronic Arts have quietly removed themselves from the official list of organizations that support the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA).

For anyone who’s unfamiliar with it, the proposed SOPA legislation gives both the U.S. government and copyright holders the authority to seek court orders against websites associated with infringing, pirating or counterfeiting intellectual property. If the act passes, it could drastically change the way the Internet operates.

On the surface, the gaming companies probably threw their support to the bill because it would also help curb piracy of gaming. However, I’m sure they’ve been paying attention to the onslaught of negative press and customer dissidence experienced by domain registrar Go Daddy over the last few weeks.

In Sony’s case, it’s probably best to stay clear of any piece of legislation that would draw attention from activists. Earlier today, “hacktivist” group Anonymous pledged to once again take down Sony’s Playstation online gaming network due to the company’s SOPA support.

Overall, public support for SOPA seems to be crumbling, as a number of big companies have removed their names from the official congressional list

Source: venturebeat.com

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66 Comments

jzr007 - 12-31-2011, 01:07 PM
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haha, Sony finally figured out that fighting hackers and hacktivist won't do them any good , and would only result in pissing off more hackers!!

twig - 12-31-2011, 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by jzr007

haha, Sony finally figured out that fighting hackers and hacktivist won't do them any good , and would only result in pissing off more hackers!!

And in real life, none of would like that to be reality - It shouldn't be like that. But hell, we're on the net. No rules follows

On another note, I think its great their dropping out, and I think it's a stupid proposal made by the US.
However, I'd like to see how the net would shape up afterwards, in such an event - Who would go down, and what the aftermath would be like. Yeah I like chaos haha, it has a fine order in it self.

and106 - 12-31-2011, 01:58 PM
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First smart move from Sony , good job.

BahumatLord - 12-31-2011, 02:39 PM
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IDK. I've got mixed thoughts about this. On one hand I don't want anyone telling me what to do with something I paid for. On the other if I were to release a piece of software and it got released for free all over the net without my permission, I'd be pretty pissed and want to do something about it. I don't hide that I'm a pirate, but this is how these guys make a living and you can't fault them for wanting to stop people stealing from them. And no matter how you look at it, it is theft

yes159 - 12-31-2011, 02:58 PM
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Originally Posted by jzr007

haha, Sony finally figured out that fighting hackers and hacktivist won't do them any good , and would only result in pissing off more hackers!!

This doesnt have much to do with fighting hackers though. It is just a group (Anonymous) who dont like that people support SOPA, and the Anonymous threaten to attack the people because they dont agree with them. I wish that Anonymous would have taken more political actions instead of those DDOS attacks.

Originally Posted by BahumatLord

IDK. I've got mixed thoughts about this. On one hand I don't want anyone telling me what to do with something I paid for. On the other if I were to release a piece of software and it got released for free all over the net without my permission, I'd be pretty pissed and want to do something about it. I don't hide that I'm a pirate, but this is how these guys make a living and you can't fault them for wanting to stop people stealing from them. And no matter how you look at it, it is theft

For sure. But SOPA in its current form is quite extreme though. Technically it means that YouTube can be shut down if they host something that is copyrighted and the owner doesnt want YouTube to host it. I dont think that this will ever happen though.

ahou - 12-31-2011, 03:02 PM
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And no matter how you look at it, it is theft

In no way is that true.

pip313 - 12-31-2011, 03:27 PM
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Originally Posted by ahou

In no way is that true.

It is theft to charge a liscense fee for a game then tell u that u now have to re buy it to use it. Such as psn ffvii costing full price to those with a ps1 liscene when the psn version is just the ps1 version running on the ps1 emulator. Games like god of war collection where they actually rewrite it for hd are understandable To charge for. I've bought ffvii 3 times and I'm tired of being charged to play my old game on my new system or Just to have the convience of not having to put the disk in for the same exact game I have

Just my opinion

CrimsonSoul - 12-31-2011, 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by pip313

It is theft to charge a liscense fee for a game then tell u that u now have to re buy it to use it. Such as psn ffvii costing full price to those with a ps1 liscene when the psn version is just the ps1 version running on the ps1 emulator. Games like god of war collection where they actually rewrite it for hd are understandable To charge for. I've bought ffvii 3 times and I'm tired of being charged to play my old game on my new system or Just to have the convience of not having to put the disk in for the same exact game I have

Just my opinion

No one told you to repurchase a game you have, so how is that theft? Sony gets a small amount from what Square Enix makes off of them selling Final Fantasy VII and why shouldn't a company try to make money? Not everyone had the chance to buy the game when it originally came out for the PSX. Not to mention that you can play PSX games on your PS3 (even if some don't synch or there's lag). Do you have to get up and change the disc, yes...but the convenience is being able to play the game on the PS3, not having to play without getting up to change the disc. If you want that luxury, buy it off PSN, stop complaining. It could have been a complete lock out and the ONLY way to ever play that game again, is either by emulator on the PC, find a used PSX or PSOne (unless you still have it where you still would have to get up and change the disc) or buy the game through PSN.

There is no "theft" by making something available for others to play.

That's my thoughts and opinion.

pip313 - 12-31-2011, 05:00 PM
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Theft in legal and moral terms are different moral does count though as I am loyal to the playstation brand but Sonys actions like this made me buy a 360 as much as I hate microcrap.

Don't forget when u buy a game u buy a liscense. Why do I need a new liscense to replace scratched disks? I don't own the software on the disk I own the right to play it.

dagrimmreepa - 12-31-2011, 05:19 PM
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Originally Posted by BahumatLord

IDK. I've got mixed thoughts about this. On one hand I don't want anyone telling me what to do with something I paid for. On the other if I were to release a piece of software and it got released for free all over the net without my permission, I'd be pretty pissed and want to do something about it. I don't hide that I'm a pirate, but this is how these guys make a living and you can't fault them for wanting to stop people stealing from them. And no matter how you look at it, it is theft

That's not the problem with SOPA. It's not about copyright, that's just the guise under which the US gov't is trying to get it past. I mean, sure, it also does the copyright thing, but what it really enables is the ability of the gov't and major corporations to shut down ANY website that they deem contains "copyright" material, with no investigation or trial. It's just gone. The scary part is that they can not only shut down sites that host copyrighted material, but also any site that even has a link to a site that has copyrighted material, even if the link is in the comments section. Thing about it: say another Occupy movement happens, another wave that's bigger and causes massive civil unrest... the gov't will get rid of any site in support of it by asking someone to leave a comment with a link. And to quell protests, the US gov't has already passed the NDAA (National Defense Authorization Act 2012), which, I am not lying, gives the gov't permission to detain US citizens with no charge, no trial and they can detain you indefinitely. All they need is to say that you MIGHT be a threat to National Security and boom, you get taken in the middle of the night and never seen again. It also gives the US Army permission to operate within the borders of the US, which is a massive problem because, unlike the PDs, the Army only answers to the chain of command, ie. the executive office, and not to the laws of a country. So they can be used to quell any unrest with tanks and mortars. That is the real reason why SOPA has language as vague as it does: to effectively shut down the only free information source left in the world.

I am very, very happy to see it losing so much momentum. If this thing were to pass, it would literally be the end of the 'net.

If they really want to combat piracy, they should start enforcing the copyright laws that are already in place. They are pretty strong. The only they don't do is allow the US companies to sure oversees sites, and they shouldn't have that power. US ain't special and doesn't require special privileges.

pip313 - 12-31-2011, 05:26 PM
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Darn, US tanks at home what an idea. Too bad they are coming to control us not because we are a FREE country with a military that is reactive not proactive.

Gman961 - 12-31-2011, 05:51 PM
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Piracy and theft is not giving people jobs and allowing the high unemployment to continue!!!

cboushell - 12-31-2011, 07:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Gman961

Piracy and theft is not giving people jobs and allowing the high unemployment to continue!!!

Given a job? I don't about anyone else here who has actually worked for a living and not stood around with thier hand out, but no one has ever given me a job, I've earned them. Earned them by developing skills and talents that employers want to pay for. What is it that you think is keeping employers from hiring new employees at this time? Its thier total lack of faith in the P.O.S leading the current administration. Instead of standing around thinking someone is supposed to give you something do us all a favor and go EARN it! Your entitlement mentality makes me sick!

BahumatLord - 12-31-2011, 07:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Gman961

Piracy and theft is not giving people jobs and allowing the high unemployment to continue!!!

Yeah, but that's a revolving door. I'm not unemployed - just under-employed. If I was working full time then I wouldn't need to pirate anything. I could just break out my wallet if I wanted to play something. Honestly, I probably would still pirate anyway unless I really liked it so I could support the developers to keep the good stuff coming. I am being completely honest when I say I download music/movies/games or anything that just catches my eye. But in no way am I trying to justify doing so. There are copyright laws for a reason. I just choose to do what I do mainly to keep myself occupied in the down times. What was that old saying about idle hands? As for what people were saying about the government being able to shut down any site with copyrighted material or links to copyrighted material, they would end up completely shutting down the internet. There is a lot of unintentional copyright infringement that goes on. Just take a look at images especially on forum sites like this one or blogs. Most people's avatar's are copyrighted in some fashion and it is just a lot easier to use an image that you find on google than to try to get legally obtained copyrighted images. And if everyone does end up having to pay licensing fees for their images, then the costs of everything will rise dramatically. In it's current form this bill has no hope whatsoever at passing because of the devastating effect it would have on the free market seeing as the internet allows for big business to function.

kite21 - 12-31-2011, 07:59 PM
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Well it`s good that SOPA (which by the way sounds hilarious in spanish) is losing ground, it was a bad idea since the beggining (the intentions were good but "the road to hell is made out of good intentions") also this youtube video seems informative on the SOPA matter watch?v=WJIuYgIvKsc (sorry, I can`t post links because I am lacking post)

Scaper - 12-31-2011, 08:31 PM
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Originally Posted by BahumatLord

IDK. I've got mixed thoughts about this. On one hand I don't want anyone telling me what to do with something I paid for. On the other if I were to release a piece of software and it got released for free all over the net without my permission, I'd be pretty pissed and want to do something about it. I don't hide that I'm a pirate, but this is how these guys make a living and you can't fault them for wanting to stop people stealing from them. And no matter how you look at it, it is theft

Piracy is not theft. Theft removes the original item, piracy copies it and leaves the original.

Jay-Jay - 12-31-2011, 08:36 PM
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How come they are going after Kim Kardashian? Is it because it was discovered that her new cloth line was made in a country where they exploit children labor?

Hello, SONY.

We are Anonymous.

It has come to the attention of the Anonymous activist community that you have chosen to stand by the Stop Online Piracy Act. This act will halt online businesses and restrict access to many sites for many users. Supporting SOPA is like trying to throw an entire company from off a bridge. Your support to the act is a signed death warrant to SONY Company and Associates. Therefore, yet again, we have decided to destroy your network. We will dismantle your phantom from the internet. Prepare to be extinguished. Justice will be swift, and it will be for the people, whether some like it or not. Sony, you have been warned.

To those doubting our powers. We’ve infiltrated the servers of Bank of America, The United States Department of Defense, The United Nations, and Lockheed Martin. In one day.

For their approval to SOPA, we have also declared that our fury be brought upon the following persons. Justin Bieber. Lady Gaga. Kim Kardashian. and Taylor Swift.

Operation Blackout, engaged.
Operation Mayhem, engaged.
Operation LulzXmas, engaged.

We are Anonymous.
We are Legion.
We do not forgive.
We do not forget.

Supporters of SOPA, you should’ve expected us.

Kayot - 12-31-2011, 09:09 PM
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I just don't like the idea that a corporation or corporate support group could knock a site off line without a hearing. Last time I checked, corporate support groups like RIAA and MPAA have a nasty tendency to target the wrong people. I don't want those sorts of people setting the rules.

As for anonymous, they are fighting with the only tools they have. People tend to think poorly of them, but when all a force has is sticks and stones they tend to use sticks and stones. They don't have the legal front, nor the weight in congress to do anything. So an internet attack is the most devastating thing they can do. Being cheeky about it is like when soldiers would be holed up under suppressive fire and telling jokes while poking fun at their predicament. We all owe out freedom to people who others probably thought, what they were doing was a lost cause or foolish.

roofjockey - 12-31-2011, 09:11 PM
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looks like the tables have turned. these companys are bullys nice to see them shite themselves for a change the cheeky bastards, great move Anonymous

kite21 - 12-31-2011, 09:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Kayot

I just don't like the idea that a corporation or corporate support group could knock a site off line without a hearing. Last time I checked, corporate support groups like RIAA and MPAA have a nasty tendency to target the wrong people. I don't want those sorts of people setting the rules.

As for anonymous, they are fighting with the only tools they have. People tend to think poorly of them, but when all a force has is sticks and stones they tend to use sticks and stones. They don't have the legal front, nor the weight in congress to do anything. So an internet attack is the most devastating thing they can do. Being cheeky about it is like when soldiers would be holed up under suppressive fire and telling jokes while poking fun at their predicament. We all owe out freedom to people who others probably thought, what they were doing was a lost cause or foolish.

Yeah, this is true, it`s better to do what you can instead of just whine about the methods used by others.